Wednesday 11th June 2025 David to Río Claro
The rain just did not stop yesterday afternoon, so ended up getting a taxi to the local Chinese restaurant, always know you are going to get a big fill there, though I did not know it did not serve beers, absolute disaster, how I got through the meal, I don’t know. Walked back to the digs, via a little shop to get breakfast stuff for the morning, Bingo says you want a beer, bit late for that now I need to sleep, the life of an endurance athlete, in my mind already decided I will make up for it tomorrow.

So out of bed fresh as a daisy, all ready to rock, bit of cereal, banana and yogurt, we are off, the host an ex-USA army guy is sleeping on the sofa, just by the exit, jumps up like he is being attacked, thankfully my placid English tones calm him down, scared the life out of me though. He opens up the gates, then inspects us like a Sergeant Major before he lets us pass, with a hi five.

On the road before quarter to six, heading to the border, then beyond if we have time, you never know with border crossings, always have to be on my best behaviour, quite difficult to sustain it though so hope its not to long.

Lovely ride through the tree lined road, as we head towards the border, not sure what to expect, as they are always manic, people, trucks, cars all over the place, we just have to relax and let the day flow. We stop about five miles from the border for a soft drink, flex the muscles, get are wits about us, then go for it, as expected it chaos on the Panama side, no idea where to go, ask a guy, then he becomes the guide! Fair play he guides us to the Panama exit place, all through there processing a few minutes. Sure enough my guide is still waiting for us, ask him where the Costa Rica immigration place is 24Km down the road he points, with his hand out, I give him a few coins, glad to get the weight out of my pocket, he clears off with a smile. 24Km can’t be as we both look and wondered where we go from here, (song lyric) Bingo frantically looking at his map, I spot a welcome to Costa Rica sign, in English indicating the immigration centre is 4Km down the road, quietly apologies to the guy, maybe I misunderstood him again!. Off we go down the road in “No mans land, full of restaurants and house’s, soon got to the brand new facilities, think they are going to open this border up for tourist in the not to distant future. Massive place, had to have a Malaria test, before passport control, take all are baggage and have it scanned, then produce our yellow fever certification, very intensive border control.

Finally in Costa Rica, another country another day, the plan was to ride to the next town Neily and see how we feel, got there pretty quickly, then realised that the clocks had gone back another hour, bit strange did not expect that. Nevertheless we found a bar and made camp to discuss our options, coffee? and a beer I said, its later than you think! so few beers then decide to push onto the next town Río Claro, about 12 miles away and a few hostels. Pleasant ride up to Rio Claro, and book in a hostel right on the main road, perfect. Few little things to sort out, mainly more routes and a possible stay in some friends of Steven, who own a hotel not far from here, he took them on a canoeing tour years ago. I emailed them last night, awaiting a reply.

Unfortunately Andreas & Connie – Steven’s friends [Connie and Andy came on a canoeing trip to the Dordogne, France in 2018 with Keith and Linford as my river guides: Ed] are currently touring in Italy, they have offered us a complementary stay at their place though: The Orosi Lodge.